UK researchers to study school’s local food purchases

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – University of Kentucky researchers are taking a closer look at local food purchases after dining vendor Aramark said half of its local purchases were for soda and ice.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports (http://bit.ly/1hPKDa6) UK’s 15-year, $245 million contract with Aramark includes $5 million for the Food Connection. That program aims to “enhance the production, distribution and consumption of healthful Kentucky grown and produced food.”

Aramark spent $10 million on food in fiscal year 2015. Purchases considered local included $1 million for Coca-Cola beverages, $45,000 for ice, $39,000 for Pepsi products and $5,000 for drinks from Winchester’s Ale-8-One.

Scott Smith is the director of UK’s Food Connection. He said researchers will begin studying UK’s local food purchases more carefully in order to increase how much is bought from Kentucky farms.